I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

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Phillip Rowe
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I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

I didn't like the squared off truss rod cover that came with my Ovation clone so I made another out if black plastic.Just for fun I added a mahogany embellishment. What do you think?
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Phillip Rowe
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

No replies?
Mark McLean
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Mark McLean »

It is always nice to add your own custom touches, and a boring black plastic cover is a good target for a makeover. I also like to get rid of the screws, if possible. In some of my builds the truss-rod is exposed in the slot and if you glue a small rare earth magnet onto the bottom of the truss-rod cover it will hold itself firmly in place by attraction to the rod itself - and you don't need those 3 small screws.
Phillip Rowe
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

Yeah !I used magnets to hold the wooden spheres on the base unit of my Admiral Vernon.
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Freeman Keller
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Freeman Keller »

Phillip Rowe wrote:No replies?
Its a nice touch. If I build a guitar with a headstock t/r adjuster I try to make a cover that fits with the theme of the guitar - usually that means the same wood as the headplate, binding, pick guard, fretboard or something.
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Peter Wilcox
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Peter Wilcox »

Freeman Keller wrote: Its a nice touch. If I build a guitar with a headstock t/r adjuster I try to make a cover that fits with the theme of the guitar - usually that means the same wood as the headplate, binding, pick guard, fretboard or something.
That's sort of how I do it.
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Phillip Rowe
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

That is an interesting head stock design .Flame motif perhaps ?
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Peter Wilcox
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Peter Wilcox »

Yes, it does look like a flame. Actually, in designing it I wanted the headstock to loosely echo the shape of the body.
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Phillip Rowe
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

Nice!
Freeman Keller
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Freeman Keller »

Here is a LP clone, ice tea 'burst over maple, rosewood f/b and headplate

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Tried black plastic, didn't like it

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Made one out of some flamed maple with a little 'burst, just not right

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Finally just glued some fiber backing to rosewood veneer and put a couple of coats of lacquer on it

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Here's another Lester, Spanish cedar top and headplate with rosewood f/b, binding, pickup rings, knobs.

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Rosewood t/r cover seems to go with the headstock binding

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If you laminate some white or black fiber to the back of the veneer it keeps it from splitting and gives a fine line that can tie into other purfling themes. Here is ebony on ebony

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And a long story behind this one - the owner is one of the finest custom motorcycle painters in the world - he requested skulls for his f/b inlays. I added one to the pick guard

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and another in the ebony t/r cover

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Phillip Rowe
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

I noticed you took the time to make sure to cut the body in The proper Les Paul shape.Really nice guitars I imagine they go for at least 5 grand ,maybe 10 for the well heeled client.
Phillip Rowe
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

I shimmed the saddle that I had previously cut down too far added baking soda and super glue to the G,B and high E slots to correct the muting.Now it is much louder and the piezoelectric pick up works well.A successful exercise despite the mistakes which I was able to correct.
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Peter Wilcox
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Peter Wilcox »

I think your truss rod cover does complement other parts of the guitar - the black fret board, and the color around the sound holes.
Maybe I can't fix it, but I can fix it so no one can fix it
Phillip Rowe
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

Yes I do like it so I will leave it as it is
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Dan Smith
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Dan Smith »

A quarter works well.
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Phillip Rowe
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

Interesting use of a coin as a truss rod cover.Magnets ?
Freeman Keller
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Freeman Keller »

Phillip Rowe wrote:I noticed you took the time to make sure to cut the body in The proper Les Paul shape.Really nice guitars I imagine they go for at least 5 grand ,maybe 10 for the well heeled client.
Thanks Phillip. I try to take the time to do things right - the LP body was hand carved. I'm strictly an amateur and many of the guitars I build are for myself or friends. I charge enough to pay for materials and maybe treat myself to a nice dinner or something, I'm just pleased that there are people who want to help me enjoy my hobby - its a real complement when I get to hear a musician playing one of my guitars.

Glad to hear that you got the nut and saddle issues resolved
Phillip Rowe
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

Yeah I have been really lucky to fix the problems I had.I thouht I would have to buy a new nut and saddle.At some point I would like to cut my own nut .BTW I thought you were a pro those guitars look greatl
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Dan Smith
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Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Dan Smith »

Phillip Rowe wrote:Interesting use of a coin as a truss rod cover.Magnets ?
Two black screws.
I rarely have cash, and found this coin in my pocket. Not sure how it got there, but aimlike the horses.
I painted it black, polished it, and applied a clear coat.
Ever-body was kung fu fight-in,
Them kids was fast as light-nin.
Phillip Rowe
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Joined: Tue Apr 11, 2017 9:53 pm

Re: I decided to make a new truss rod cover. ..

Post by Phillip Rowe »

Looks good!
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